Plugging away since 1999, The National finally hit mainstream success with the release of their 2010 album High Violet. Of course, this entailed their first world tour, but in the new documentary Mistaken For Strangers, it’s only the backdrop for the relationship between lead singer Matt Berninger and his younger brother Tom, who had no idea that these short videos he was shooting would turn into a public document of their troubled, if still loving brotherhood.

We talk with Kurt Vile on board The Delta Queen — a river boat docked in Chattanooga, TN — about his recent album, the influence of The Smashing Pumpkins, and how he takes pride in his daughter quoting Silver Jews.

Royal Bangs have carved a niche with their brand of genre-defying kinetic rock but they’ve yet to conquer the radio. The band released their fourth album, Brass, in September and are highly touted by Black Keys drummer/producer Patrick Carney. Even though mainstream success eludes the group, they still put out captivating songs — the band […]